Multi-cell cartons



May l8, 1965 c. w. ROSENBURG, JR 3,184,142

MULTI-CELL GARTONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1964 INVENTOR luullxlnrllllllllllll.

May 18, 1965 c. w. RosENBURG, JR 3,184,142

MULTI-CELL CARTONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Filed Jan. l5. 1964 llNlll Inu I :el Il INI lliixwleWl l United States Patent O 3,184,142 MULTI-CELL CARTNS Charles W. Rosenberg, Ir., Bnltalo, NY., assignor to F. N. Burt Company, Inc., Buialo, NX., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 337,765 7 Claims. (Cl. 229-28) This invention relates to containers or receptacles and more particularly to partitioned multi-cell boxes or cartons which may be shipped and handled in flat collapsed condition or erected to parallelepiped conguration for use.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved carton 'of the class described which is of simple and economical one piece construction with partition and side wall panels folded from a single blank, the adjacent panels being hingedly secured together to provide a box for an unusually large number of cells disposed in alignment.

There exist some two and three cell cartons made from a single unitary blank with the cells disposed in la straight line, and some non-collapsible boxes having six and eight cells or even more, arranged in multiple alignment series, but the present invention provides a novel blank and carton formed therefrom which, by an ingenious arrangement of partitions and glued connecting or stretch panels, provides for four internal cells in a package which will retain its rm rectangular configuration when iilled, but which can be collapsed empty to a flat condition permitting ready storage and transport with minimum required volume.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by Way of example.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a view in perspective of a multi-cell box or carton embodying the principles of the invention, the top closure flaps of the carton being open to disclose the upper portions of the partition structure;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the box taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a ver-tical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the novel carton may be formed;

FIGURE 6 is a plan View of the carton in collapsed condition as for packing, storing, or shipping; and

FIGURE 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic end view of the carton as it approaches collapsed condition.

Probably the best way to approach the disclosure of the invention is by way of the blank illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. The hat .blank usually made of cardboard but which can be made of any similar relatively stiff material, is of unitary construction, only one piece being required to form all of the parts of the collapsed box or carton.

The carton is of rectangular cross-section and comprises side walls A, B, C, and D, side walls A and C adapted to be disposed opposite to each other and being of the same size and shape. End walls B and D are similarly disposed in opposite p-ositions and are of corresponding dimensions.

Hingedly connected at the upper portion of the side wall panel A, as by means of the score line al, is the lid or cover panel A1, which itself has a tab A3 hingedly connected thereto by the score line a3. The side wall panel r'ice A also has a bottom hap A2 connected thereto along the score line a2.

End wall panel B has a tlap Bl hingedly connected thereto along its upper edge by means of the score line b1, and is similarly provided with a bottom tlap B2 connected thereto by means of the score line b2.

The opposite side panel C does not have an upper flap but is provided with a notch c1 which is adjacent the point Where the closure tab A3 is inserted, and aids in the removal of this tab when the carton is to be opened, as will presently be described.

A bottom flap C2 is hingedly connected to the side Wall panel C along the score line c2. End panel D with its upper and lower flaps D1 and D2 hingedly connected along the score line d1 and d2 is virtually the mirror image of end panel B with its flaps.

Now, in order to provide partitions for dividing the carton into the desired four cells, certain partition panels and connecting and securing panels (which latter may be termed stretch panels) are provided all integrally connected serially with one or the other end margins of the end wall panels A and D. For example, hingedly secured by means of the score line e to the left-hand edge of panel A is a stretch panel 1. A partition panel 2 is hinged to the stretch panel 1 along the score line f. Similarly a stretch panel 3 connects the partition panel 2 and a partition panel d, being respectively hinged thereto along the score lines g and h. Then a final securing or srtetch panel 5 is provided which is hinged to the partition panel d along the score line z'. This series is designated il in the drawings.

At the opposite end ofthe basic side wall portion ofthe unitary blank, a stretch panel 6 is hingedly connected to the right-hand edge of the Wall panel D along the score line j. A partition panel 7 connects the stretch panel 6 with a further securing or stretch panel 8, being respectively connected thereto along the score lines k and l, making series I.

A notch 15 is cut in the upper edges of the panels 2, 3 and 4, this arrangement providing a bevelled edge 16 at the upper portion ofthe wall panel 2, an abbreviated upper portion of the stretch panel 3, and a partial abbreviated portion of the partial panel 4 with an inclined edge 1'7 complementary to the edge 16. The upper portion of the panels '7 and il are also notched out as at 13, an inclined edge 19 being provided in the upper part of the partition 7, all of this for purposes to be described presently.

The completely erected collapsible partitioned container formed from the blank shown in FIGURE 5 is designated by the general reference numeral 1i) and is shown in a perspective View from above the `container in FIGURE l of the drawings.

The procedure in securing the various panels together to form the box will now be described. Although the sequence of bending folding, and gluing may be varied as desired, one preferred way of bringing the parts into proper position and securing them would be as follows: the first stretch panel extending from the wall D is bent at right angles to that Wall and then the partition panel 7 is .again bent at right angles to the panel but parallel to the wall D. The terminal securing stretch panel 8 is then glued to the rear face of the front wall panel C.

Next, the stretch panel 1 is folded all the way over through an angle of to contact about one-half of the inner surface of the side wall panel A. The central partition panel 2 is swung to a position where it stands at a right angle to both the waH panel A and the stretch panel 1 and so as to be disposed in parallel relationship with the partition panel 7 and end panel D. The stretch panel 3 is then placed in contact with the inner face of the wall C and adhesively secured thereto in such a Y 3 Y Y Way that the partition panels 2 and 4 are disposed in parallel relationship with each other and with the end walls B and D.

The final stretch panel or securing panel is then tucked to aV certain distance beneath the initial stretch panel 1 and the panels 5 and 1 are appropriately adhesively secured to eachother and to the inner surface of the wall panel A. This is all graphically shown in the sectional vievr comprising FIGURE 2 of the drawings and, of course, supplemented by the sectional views/of FIGURES 3 and 4. When thus assembled and secured, the carton is susceptible of being collapsed in` either direction to a fiat laminar condition. When collapsed in one direction the partitionV Will occupy the position shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings and it is easy to visualize that collapsing the carton in the opposite' direction will yield a plan view which wouldV beV a mirror image of FIGURE 6.

In order'to erect the carton to position for the reception of articles Within the cells provided therein, the bottom iiaps B2 and D2 of the end wall panels are folded inwardlyand then` the flaps A2 and Cz'folded together and secured in any suitable manner, as by gluing, as will be perceived from the showing at the bottoms'of FY- URES 3 and 4.

Itl is obvious that in order to close the top of the carton the upper end fiaps B1 and D1 are folded inwardly and theV cover panely A1 swung over on top of them with the closure tab A3 inserted behind the notched upper portion of the front wall C and overlying the ends of the partitions V2 and 7 in the space provided by the curtailed portions 16 and 19 thereof. Y

The provision of the notches 15 and 18 serve the purposes of cutting back'the partitions 4, ZIand 7, not only for the purpose of permitting the tab A3 coming to its terminal closed position, but also for assisting inthe removal of articles fromv the four cells provided by the partitions. For example, suppose that the carton is' to containY four boxes of photographic film. The cut-away portionsv at 17, 16 .and V19 permit entry of the thumb and. fingers to grasp the boxes and remove them from the carton. l

For initial shipment or storage of the cartons, or for Y handling the cartons for re-use, they may be collapsed readily, for example, toY the condition shown in FG- URESY 6- and 7 of the drawings where theyV occupy a minimum ofY space. 'Y

It is understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiment illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. AV one-piece multi-cell carton comprising pairs of respectively oppositely displosed side and end wall panels, hingedly connected at adjoining side edges to complete a rectangular structure; certain of said side andend wall panels provided at their upper and lower edges. with hingedly connected cooperating top and bottom forming flaps; two series of unitary hingedly connected stretch panels and partition panels integral with and'hinged to the respective meeting side edges of the adjoining terminal side and end panels, and directed inwardly of the which the initial stretch panel of said second series is folded through an angle at 180 and secured directly face to face to the inward surface of the side panel to which it is hinged, the next partition panel of the second series extending across the carton and defining the extent of the second cell for said terminal end panel; the initial stretch panel of the first series bent at an angle of 90 with respect to the end wall panel from which it extends and secured face to face" to the inward surface of the longer initial stretch panel of the second series, the next partition panel of they first seriesrextending across the carton and defining the extent of the first cell; the second stretch panel Vof said first series' extending along and secured Vto the inward surface ofthe opposite side wall panel; the second stretch panel of said second series extending along. and secured to the inward surface' of" the longer second stretch panel of said first series, and a second partition panel extending from said. second stretch panel of the second series extending. across the carton to define the extent of the third cell.

3. The multi-cell carton as set forth in claim 2 in: which thereV is provided a third stretch panel hinged to and extending at right angles to said second partition panel of the second series back toward the first-named end of thefcarton and extendingalongside of and secured to the inward surface of said first-named side wally panel and tucked behind atleast az portion of' the first stretch panel of the second series.

4. A. one-piece multi-cell carton comprising pairs of respectively oppositely disposedv side and end wall panels, hingedly connected at adjoining side edges to complete a rectangular structure, certain of said side and endl Wall panels provided at their upper and lower'edges with. hingedly connected cooperating top and bottom formingi flaps, two series of unitary hingedly connected stretch panels and partition p anels integral with and hingedY to therespective meeting side edges of theV adjoining terminal side and end panels and directed inwardly of the carton, each' series comprising alternate stretch and partition panels beginning wtih a stretch panel secured iiatwise to. the adjacent side wall panel, said stretch panels being either of once or twice the width of the' cells betweenpartition walls in the carton,fwhereby thedisposal of thev partition panels Will be' at equal distances apart and from they en'd f panels.

5. A one-piece blank for thel production of a multicell carton which blank comprises a series of Wall panels consisting, in the named sequence, of a first side wall panel, a first end wall panel, a second side Wall panel, and a second endwall panel; a first seriesV of cell-forming panels hinged to and extending from Said second end wall panel andy consisting, in the named sequence, of a stretchrpanel, a partition panel, and a second stretch panel; and a second series of cell-forming panelshinged to and extending from said first side wall panel an'd consistingin Vthe named sequence, of a stretch panel, a partition panel, a second stretch panel, and a second partition panel. Y

6. A one-piece blank for the production of a` multicell carton which blank comprises a seriersfrof wall panels 1 consisting, in thenamed sequence, of a Yfirst side wall iirstcell at that end of the carton and the initial stretchV 2- The multi-cell carton asset'forrh in 'claim 11m panel, a first end Wall' panel, a second side wall panel, and a second end wall panel; a tirst seriesy of cell-forming panels hinged to and extending from said` second end r wall and consisting, in the named sequence,-ofY a stretch Vseries of cell-forming panels hinged to andV extending. from said first side wall panel and consisting, in they named sequence, of a stretch panel of a width equal to that of the saidrfirstV and4 second cells, a partition panel, a

secondV stretch panel of the width equalto that of said secondV cell, and YaY second partition. panel, and. a. thirdY 'Y stretch panel of a width suicient to provide terminal securernent to the adjacent side wall.

7. A one-piece multi-Cell carton comprising pairs of respectively oppositely disposed side and end wall panels, hingedly connected at adjoining side edges to complete a rectangular structure, certain of said side and end wall panels provided at their upper and lower edges with liingedly connected cooperating top and bottoni forming flaps, two series of unitary hingedly connected stretch panels and partition panels integral with and hinged to the respective meeting side edges of the adjoining terminal side and end panels, and directed inwardly of the carton, each series comprising alternate stretch and partition panels beginning with a `stretch panel secured atwise to the adjacent side wall panel, said stretch panels being either of once or twice the width of the cells between partition walls in the carton, whereby the disposal of the partition panels will be at equal distances apart and from the end panels, and notches formed in the upper edges of certain of said partition panels adjacent one of said side Walls affording grasping access for the fingers in removing articles from the cells, all junctions between wall panels and partitions being hinge connections whereby the carton may be readily collapsed to ilat condition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,023,578 12/ 35 Daley 229-29 2,078,907 4/ 37 Kondolf 229-27 X 2,089,067 8/ 37 Myers 229-27 2,706,037 4/ 55 Feigelman.

2,888,185 5 59 Porter 229-29 3,047,201 7/ 62 Kuchenbecker 229-28 FRANKLIN T. GARRE'IT, Primary Examiner. GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner. 

1. A ONE-PIECE MULTI-CELL CARTON COMPRISING PAIRS OF RESPECTIVELY OPPOSITELY SIDE AND END WALL PANELS, HINGEDLY CONNECTED AT ADJOINING SIDE EDGES TO COMPLETE A RECTANGULAR STRUCTURE; CERTAIN OF SAID SIDE AND END WALL PANELS PROVIDED AT THEIR UPPER AND LOWER EDGES WITH HINGEDLY CONNECTED COOPERATING TOP AND BOTTOM FORMING FLAPS; TWO SERIES OF UNITARY HINGEDLY CONNECTED STRETCH PANELS AND PARTITION PANELS INTEGRAL WITH AND HINGED TO THE RESPECTIVE MEETING SIDE EDGES OF THE ADJOINING TERMINAL SIDE AND END PANELS, AND DIRECTED INWARDLY OF THE CARTON, EACH SERIES COMPRISING ALTERNATE STRETCH AND PARTITION PANELS BEGINNING WITH A STRETCH PANEL SECURED FLATWISE TO THE ADJACENT SIDE WALL PANEL, THE INITIAL STRETCH PANEL OF THE FIRST OF SAID SERIES BEING OF THE WIDTH OF THE FIRST CELL AT THAT END OF THE CARTON AND THE INITIAL STRETCH PANEL OF THE SECOND SERIES BEING OF A WIDTH EQUAL TO THE COMBINED WIDTH OF SAID FIRST CELL AND THE SECOND CELL IN THE SERIES, THE PARTITION PANELS BEING OF A LENGTH EQUAL TO THAT OF THE END WALL PANELS, THE SECOND STRETCH PANEL OF SAID FIRST SERIES BEING OF MULTI-CELL WIDTH AND THE SECOND STRETCH PANEL OF SAID SECOND SERIES BEING OF SINGLE CELL WIDTH. 